After visiting the Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles this week, free agent linebacker Shaq Leonard "is expected to think on it" and choose his next team this weekend, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Leonard visited with Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones and members of the organization on Tuesday at the team's headquarters at The Star in Frisco before making his way to Philadelphia to visit the Eagles on Wednesday.
With Leonard's future up in the air, the Cowboys can now turn their attention to their Thursday night matchup against the Seattle Seahawks, while the Eagles prepare to host the San Francisco 49ers this Sunday.
Both teams are thin at the linebacker position, as Dallas has lost Leighton Vander Esch and DeMarvion Overshown to season-ending injuries, while the Eagles have been without Nakobe Dean for most of the season, and Zach Cunningham suffered a hamstring injury during last week's win over the Buffalo Bills.
There have been no indications as to who is leading the race to sign Leonard between the NFC East rivals. However, Audacy NFL insider Brian Baldinger is hearing that Dallas is ahead.
"I hear he's leaning toward the Cowboys," Baldinger said on the GBag Nation on 105.3 The Fan. "I know players on the Eagles that are heavily trying to recruit him. They need him. They lost Zach Cunningham last week. They've been losing linebackers all year. I'm hearing he's favoring the Cowboys at this point. He's a little measured about this thing. (He) wants to make the right decision."
As for what the three-time All-Pro has left in the tank after being surprisingly released by the Colts last week, Baldinger is confident that the 28-year-old can still be a difference maker.
"I know this, whoever gets him, they're going to be a better team. He's a great teammate. He's a very instinctive, talented player. He's coming back from a major injury, so I don't know exactly where he's at (physically). He's been playing," Baldinger said. "But I think he can improve both rosters right now, especially with (Leighton Vander Esch being out for the season). I think the Cowboys like what they're doing right now with Marquese Bell. I think when you go against some bigger teams and some teams that are a little bit more powerful, you're going to have that option of playing two linebackers inside."